Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Coming on the heels of Bill Rosendahl's announcement he would not be seeking reelection for the LA City Council due to health issues, Mike Bonin, Rosendahl's chief-of-staff, formally entered the race to replace him today.

“It has been my honor to work with Bill Rosendahl as he fought for our Westside neighborhoods and for positive change for Los Angeles,” Bonin said in a press release. “I am determined to continue Bill's tradition of community empowerment and creative problem-solving.”

“Bill is a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration,” Bonin said. “His conscience, his boundless optimism, and his passion for serving our neighborhoods has set a gold standard for what it means to be a servant of the people.”

Rosendahl endorsed Bonin yesterday when he made the announcement to bow out of the race.

“On every issue that is important to this district, Mike has been a leader,” Rosendahl said. “On police hiring, modernizing LAX, and building mass transit, Mike was there and engaged. When it came to improving our parks, balancing the budget, and housing the homeless, Mike was involved at every step. Mike Bonin has the heart, the smarts, and the guts to be the voice of this district on the City Council.”

Bonin's campaign also announced endorsements from LA City Councleman Herb Wesson and UNITE HERE Local 11. Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl and Steve Soboroff were named as campaign co-chairs.

In making the announcement, Bonin listed his priorities for the district: job creation, mass transit, affordable housing, making neighborhoods more liveable through increased green space and alternative transportation; and using technology to help reform city government.

“Los Angeles is a city of unparalleled talent, vision, and resources,” Bonin said. “Our city government needs to be as smart and as creative as our people. Working together, we can grow our economy, green our environment, keep our streets safe and clean, and make Los Angeles a city of vital neighborhoods.”

Bonin has served in senior posts with Rosendahl, U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, and Councilmember Ruth Galanter. He currently serves as an alternate member of the Board of Directors of the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority. He is also co-founder of Camp Courage, a training program for community organizers seeking the freedom to marry for the LGBT community.

A longtime resident of Venice, Mike lives in Mar Vista with his partner, Sean Arian, a policy expert in economic development and green jobs creation.

At least two other candidates have announced they'll run to fill the open seat - Westchester teacher Odysseus Bostick and Venice
resident Mark Ryavec.

"I'm looking forward to a vigorous debate," said Ryavec. "Mike and I have been on opposite sides of several of the issues. We'll have plenty of time to explore those as the campaign goes forward."